Press for drawing sheet metal and the like



Aug. 19, 1930. F, J. R DE 1,773,438

PRESS FOR DRAWING SHEET METAL AND THE LIKE Filed April 8, 1929 9Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 19, 1930.. F, R BE 1,773,438

PRESS FOR DRAWING SHEET METAL AND THE LIKE Filed April 8, 1929 9Sheets-Sheet 2 v Aug.,l9, 1930. F. J. RODE 7 PRESS FOR DRAWING SHEETMETAL AND THE LIKE Filed April 8, 1929 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 u 19, 1930. F.J. ROD; 1,773,438

PRESS FOR DRAWING SHEET METAL AND THE LIKE Filed April 8, 1929 9Sheets-Sheet 4- Aug. 19, 1930. F. J. RODE 1,773,438

PRESS FOR DRAWING SHEET METAL AND THE LIKE Filed April 8, 1929 9Sheets-Sheet s Aug. 19, 1930. F. J. RODE 1,773,438

PRESS FOR DRAWING SHEET METAL AND THE LIKE Filed April 8, 1929 9Sheets-Sheet 6 A ml 1 .Aug. 19, 1930. F. J. RODE 1,773,438

PRESS FOR DRAWING SHEET METAL AND THE LIKE Filed April 8, 1929 9Sheets-Sheet 7 III III

Aug. 19, 1930. F. J. RODE 1,773,438

I PRESS FOR DRAWING SHEET METAL AND THE LIKE I Filed April 8, 1929 9Sheets-Sheet 8 Aug. 19, 1930. F. J. RODE PRESS FOR DRAWING SHEET METALAND THE LIKE Filed April 8, 1929 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 lation will be;materially reduced.

Patented Aug. 19, 1930 PATENT OFFICE FRIEDRICH J". RODE, OF CHICAGO,ILLINOIS PRESS FOR DRAWING SHEET METAL AND THE LIKE Application fi ledApril 8,

Inpresses for drawing sheet metal and the like in which the material isshaped by means of co-operating dies, one of which. is reciprocabletoward and ,away from the'other, the

1 work is usually held bymeansof a work holder or drawringwlrichco-operates with one of the dies, theworkfhfolder or draw rlngbeing resisted in its movement in one direction by means of a, fluid-cushioning device, through the medium of a pressure pad.

Heretofore the cushion generally comprises co-operatinv cylinder andpiston elements, one of which is attached to a stationary part of thepress and the other to the presure pad, fluid being supplied to thecushion from a separate tank.

To install such a cushioning device and system necessitates considerablespace and is I quite expensive.

It is one of the ob ects of the present invention to improve andsimplify the cushioning means and to reduce to a minimum the number ofparts and attachments necessary, including the separate supply tank.

To that end the cushioning means is incorporated in and constitutes apart and arcel of the press, the cylinder being formed 1n the bed of thepress, whereby a compact arrangement will be produced and the cost ofinstal- A further object is to provide lmproved means for locking thepressure pad at the I limits of its movement in one direction, therebypreventing the pressure pad from immediately following the ram ormovable die as they start to ascend, and improved means forautomaticallycontrolling the locking and unlocking of thepressure pad.

A further object is to provide improved means whereby the pressureofthe'fluid in the cushion will return the pressure pad to its normalposition when the latter is unlocked.

To-the attainment of these ends and the accomplishment of other new anduseful objects as Willappear, the invention consists in the features ofnovelty in substantially the construction, combination and arrangementof 929. Serial No. 353,421.

panying drawings illustrating this invention, and in which v Figure 1 isa View partly in elevation, partly in section andpartlybroken away of asingle acting press of this character constructed in accordance with theprinciples of this invention. a

Figure 2 is a side elevation of Figure 1 with parts broken away andparts in section.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail sectional View. of the cushioningmechanism showing the parts in another position.

Figure 4 isa View similar to Figure 1 of a double acting press, partlyin elevation, partly in section and partly broken away and having alocking mechanism for'restraining the return movement of the pressurepad. Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, with parts in section andparts broken away.

Figure 6 is a view taken on line 6-6, Figure 5.

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the form of theinvention shown in Figures 5 and 6, and with the parts in anotherposition.

' Figures isa view in front elevation, partly in section and partlybroken away of another form of press to which this invention is appliedand with the locking mechanism for a the pressure pad omitted.

Figure 9 is a view taken on line 99, Figure 8.

Referring more particularly to the drawings the numeral 10 designatesgenerally the uprights of a press, 11 a reciprocable ram to which a die12 is connected, the ram being reciprocable in any suitable mannerpreferably by means of links 13 connected with the ram and also with thecrank shaft 14, motion being imparted to the shaft in any suitablemanner so as to cause the ram to reciprocate upon the uprights 10.

The numeral 15 designates generally the bed of the press which is hollowto form achamber or cylinder 16 of considerable depth draw ring 20co-operates so as to clamp the work 21 between the work holder 20 andthe die 12.

Passing loosely through the bolster plate 18 are pins 22, which supportthe work holder or draw'ring 20 and these pins rest upon and aresupported by a pressure pad 23 which is disposed below the bolster plate18 and is of a size and configuration to fit and move 'Within theopening 17 in the bed of the press.

'within openings in the partition24 and are provided with flanges 30resting upon the partition 24 and the upright partition 26 forsupporting thetubular members, the latter preferably projecting foraconsiderable distance beyond the partition 24 into the respectivecompartments 27. These tubular members may be secured in position in anysuitable manner such as by means of fastenins devices 30.

Pistons 32 fit within the tubular members 29 andpaeking 33 is providedwhich encompasses the respectiye pistons and rests upon shoulders 34 inthe tubular members 29. Packing rings 35 also encompass the pistons andco-operate with the shoulders 34 to provide the desired pressure vuponthe packing 'material 33. These packing rings may be secured in positionby means of suitable fastening screws 36.

Connected with each of the pistons 32 1s a piston rod 37 which passesloosely through the bottom 25 of the chamber 16 and also throughsuitable stuffing boxes 38. The lower extremities of the piston rods 37a-re preferably threaded as at 39 to receive nuts or collars 40 whichlatter may also serve as a means for limiting the upward movement of thepistons 32.

The pistons 32 serve as supports for the pressure pad 23 and when thepressure pad 23 abuts the bottom of the bolster plate 18 the pistons 32will be at the limit of their upward movements. When the parts are inthe position shown in Figure 1 and when the ram 11 is lowered so as tocause the die'12 to shape the work 21 over the die 19 as shown in Figure3, the work holder or draw ring 20 will be depressed and the pressurepad 23 in turn will also be depressed through the medium of the pins 22.

As the pressure pad 23 is lowered the pistons 32 will be lowered in therespective tubular members 29 and the lowering movement of the pressurepad 23 and the pistons 32 will be yieldingly resisted by the compressionof the-fluid in the respective compartments 27 in the chamber 16, thepiston rods 37 sliding through stuffing boxes 38 to permit of suchoperation.

The fluid is supplied to the compartments 27 in any suitable mannerpreferably through the medium of a pipe 41 which has communication withthe chamber 16 through an opening 42. A pressure-regulating valve 43 maybe provided in the pipe 41 and a pressure gauge 44 may also be providedto indicate the amount of pressure.

Thus it will be seen that the cushioning device forms a part and parcelof the press, the cushioning device being formed in the bed ofthepr-ess, and as the pressure pad is lowered it will force the pistons32 downwardly against the pressure of the fluid in the compartments 27,at the same time the pressure pad 23 will moveinto the chamber in the32d of the press formed above the partition In Figures 5, 6 and 7, thereis shown and described an attachment of this character applied to whatis known as a double acting press in which the ram 45 having the die 46secured thereto is reciprocable by means of links 48 connected with acrank shaft 49 and the inner die 50 which moves with the ram isreciprocated by means of links 51 also connected with the crank shaft49.

In this form of the invention the bolster plate 53, has mountedthereupon a work holder 54 which encompasses a die 55, the latterco-operating with the die 50 while the work- 1 holder co-operates withthe die 46.

Thel'die 55 is supported by means of suitable pins 56 passing looselythrough the bolster plelteggfl to engage and rest upon the pressure paIt is sometimes desirable to lock or restrain the pressure pad againstreturning immedi- I ately with the ram and the movable die whenthey'start to ascend, so as to prevent any injury to the work or for anyother desired pur-- pose, such for instance as to overcome what is knownas back lash or back kick.

To that end there is provided a means whereby the pressure pad may beautomatically locked at the 'limit of its lowermost movement andretained in this position for any desired length of time and thenreleased so as to permit the pressure exerted upon the fluid in thecompartments 27 of the chamber 26 toreturn the pressure pad.

This may be accomplished in any desired or suitable manner, butpreferably-by providing cylinder and piston meansoperative- 1y connectedwith each of the pistons 32, and as the construction'and operation ofeach of these lockingv means iii-connection with the.

respective pistons is the same, the descripchamber 26. Secured to thebottom 25 of the chamber is a hollow piston member 59- Which isstationary aind the piston telescopes into a cylinder 60, which latteris connected with the piston rods 57 to be reciprocated thereby when thepiston 32 reciprocates.

Packing 61 is provided for the piston sov as-to form a fluid tight jointand the hollow piston communicates with the respective compartments 27in the chamber 26 through .a

suitable opening 62 in the bottom of the compartment, a predeterminedamount of liquid 63 being provided in the compartments 27 and whichliquid w'ill flow into the cylinders through the opening 64 in thepiston (see particularly Figure 7). The supply of liquid is such thatthere will be maintained a portion of the liquid in the compartments 27of the chamber26 at all times.

The opening 64 in the piston 59. is shaped to form a valve seat 65 withwhich a valve 66 co-operates, a spring 67 being provided which tendsnormally to move the valve 66 in a direction to Close the passage 64'and thereby prevent the liquid from flowing out of the cylinders 60 backinto the compartments 27.

The valve 66 is provided with a stem 68 which pasess through a suitablestufling box 69 and the end of the valve stem 68 is disposed in aposition to be engaged by an arm 70 connected with a rocker shaft 71jo'urnaled in suitable bearings or brackets 72. Connected also with therocker shaft 71 is an arm 7 3 with which arod or link 74 is pivotallyconnected by one end as at 75.

. At the other end of the rod or link 74 is arranged a lever 76 which ispivo'tally supported intermediate its ends as at 77. One end of thelever is pivotally connected as at 78 with the rod or link 74 and theother end 79 isarran ged in the path of movement of a cam 80 which issecur d to any suitable moving part of the press, such as the shaft 49.This cam 80 is provided with a high portion 81 and a shoulder 82adjacent such high portion. The weight. of the parts, or if desired aspring may be provided, operates to hold the end 79 of the lever 76againstthe periph 'ery of the cam 80 and the cam 80 is so arranged andconstructed that the rod or link 74 Will normally move the rock shaft 71in a direction to cause the cam 80 to engage the valve stem 68 andunseat the valve 66 against the stress of the spring 67.

This valve will be held open at all times until the ram, or the pressurepad'23, just about reaches the limit of their lowermost movement. Atthis time in the cycle of operation of the press the high portion of thecam 80 will have reached .a position that the shoulder 82 will also bein a position to permit the end 79 of the lever 76 to drop off of thehigh portion of the cam on to the low portion 83 thereof. The spring 67Will assist in causing the lever 76to so move.

As soon as the end 79 of the lever drops to the lower portion 83 of thecam 80, the valve 66 will be closed through the medium of the spring 67and thereafter the passage 64 will be closed so that the liquid which isin the cylinder 60 and in the lower portion of the passage 64 in thepiston 59 will be trapped and-cannot escape, with the result that thecylinder 60 will be held against return movement and the pistons 32 willbelocked in their lowermost position so that the 23 cannot return.

As the ram starts to ascend, the periphery of the cam 80 will begin tooperate upon the end 7 9 of the lever 76 to rock the latter and therebythrough the medium of the rod or link 74 rock the shaft 71 to move thearm 7 O in a direction that itwill engage the end of the valve stem 68and the valve 66 will then be unseated against the stress of the spring67. The pressure of the liquid in the cylinder 60 will be manifestedupon the liquid in the compartments 27 and also upon the fluid (air) insaid compartments which in turn will operate upon the pistons 32 andreturn them together with the pressure pad 23 to their normal position.

It will therefore be manifest that by timing the operation of the cam80, the period in the cycle of operation of the press at which thepressure pad 23 will be released, may be controlled and'likewise thelength of time in which the. pressure pad 23 will be locked in itslowermost position may also be controlled.

A predetermined amount of liquid is delivered into the compartments 27of the chamber-26 through an opening 84,-.which latter may be closed inany suitable manner and the fluid (air) may be supplied through anopening 85 by means of a suitable pipe86 from any suitable source, onlya predetermined amount of air being supplied to the pressure padcompartments 27. A fluidregulating valve into the cylinders 60 when thevalves66 are opened and when the valves are closed the pressure pad willmovement.

VWnen the valves 66are open the pressure of be locked against return thefluid (air) in the-compartments 27 will return the pistons 32 andpressure pad 23, thereby raising the cylinders 60 and forcing the liquidtherein back into the compartments 27. I

In Figure ithe same form of locking means is shown as applied to asingle operating press of the type shown in Figures 1 to 3, and in whichthe locking mechanism is operated in the same manner as described inconnection with Figures 5, 6 and 7.

In Figures 8 and 9 the locking means is omitted, and in this form of theinvention the numeral 89 designates a suitable support for the press,and to this support the body or bed 90 of the press is pivotallyconnected as at 91, the uprights 92 being connected with .the bed of thepress. The ram 93 is reciprocable upon the uprights92 by means of acrank shaft 9 1 to which the ram 93 is con nected' by means of a link95. The die 96 is connected with the ram 93 to reciprocate therewith and.co-operates with a die 94 mounted upon the bolster plate 95. A workholder element 96 co-operates with the die 94and is supported by meansof pins 97 which pass loosely through the bolster plate 95 and engageand rest upon the pressure pad 23.

In this form of the invention it will be manifest that all of theoperating parts of the press may be swung to any desired posi tion withrespect to the supports 89 by loosening the fastening devices 91.

In this form of the invention the chamber 98 is' formed in the bed 90 ofthe press by means of a partition 99 spaced above the bottom of thechamber. A tubular member 100 is arranged in the chamber 98 and isprovided with a flange 101 by means of which the tubular member may besecured to the lower face of the partition 99 by means of fasteningdevices 102 in the form of bolts. This tubular member is of an externaldiameter considerably less than the internal diameter of the chamber 98and extends to the bottom 103 of the chamber 98. A remov- ,wall of theopening 105 and the periphery of the-tubular member 100, and serves as ameans for holding the end of the tubular member 100 in position and alsoas a means whereby access'may'be had to the interior of the tubularmember 101.

- Fastening devices 107 in the form of bolts,

are provided-for removably. holding the closure 104 in position. I Thetubular member 100 is provided with openings 108, any number of whichmay be.-

- provided, preferably adjacent the bottom 103 of the chamber 98 to formrestricted passages through which the fluid in the chamber 108 may flowinto and out of the tubular member 100 beneath the piston 109. Thepiston is preferably hollow and is provided with packing 110 to form afluid tight joint and the closed end of the piston is uppermost. Thepressure pad 23 rests upon the piston 109 and when depressed is movableinto a chamber 111 in the bed 90 above the partition 99.

Fluid is supplied to the chamber 98 through an opening 112 by means of apipe 113 in which a fluid pressure regulating valve 114 is provided anda pressure gauge 115 may also be provided in the pipe 113.

Thus, with this form of the invention it will be seen that apredetermined amount of fluid (air) is supplied to the chamber 98 andwhen the pressure pad 23 is depressed. the fluid in the chamber 98 willbe compressed to yieldingly resist the lowering movement in the pressurepad, the fluid being forced out of the tubular member 100 through theopen ings 108 into the chamber '98.

As the ram starts to ascend, the pressure of the fluid in the chamber 98will be manifested upon the piston 109 and will cause the latter to bereturned to its normal position and with it the pressure pad 23.

With this improved construction it will be manifest that there will beprovided a compact arrangement inwhich a separate fluid pressure supplytank will be dispensed with and the cushioning device will be formed inthe bed of the press, to constitute a part and parcel thereof, with theresult that a very compact arrangement will be produced and a great manyof the extra parts as well as piping valves, etc., will be dispensedwith.

While the preferred forms of the invention have been herein shown anddescribed, it is to be understood that various changes may be made inthe details of construction and in the combination and arrangement ofthe several parts, within the scope of the claims, without departingfrom the spirit of this invention.

What is claimed as new is 1. A press for drawing sheet metal and thelike embodyingv a pressure pad, means for yieldingly resisting themovement of the pad in one direction, the said means embodyingsupporting said pad, and means for maintaining a predetermined supply offluid in the said chamber;

- 3. As a unitary structure, a press for drawing sheet metal and thelike embodying a prespiston reciprocable in the chamber, said pressurepad operating upon the said piston, and means for supplying apredeterminedamount of fluid to the chamber to be compressed by. themovement of the piston with respect to the chamber.

4. As a unitary structure, a press for drawing sheet metal and the likeembodying apressure pad, cushioning means for yieldingly resisting themovement of the pad in one direc-v tion, said cushion embodying achamber formed as a part and parcel; of the press, a plurality ofpistons reciprocable in the chamber, said pressure pad operating uponthe said pistons, and means for supplyinga predetermined amount offiuid'to the chamber to be compressed by the movement of the pis tonswith respect to the chamber.

5. In a press for drawingsheet metal and the like, superposed chambersformed in the bed thereof, one of the chambers being open, a pressurepadmovable into the open chamber, a piston reciprocable in both of thechambers, said piston being operably connected with-the pressure pad andadapted to be moved thereby, and means for maintains ing a predeterminedsupply of fluid in the closed chamber to yieldingly resist the movementof the pressure pad and piston in one direction.

6. In a press for drawing sheet metal and the like, superposed chambersformed in the bed thereof, one of the chambers. being open, a pressurepad movable into the open chamber, a piston reciprocable in both of thechambers, said piston supporting the pressure pad and adapted to bemoved thereby,

and means for maintaining a predetermined supply of fluid in the closedchamber to yieldingly resist the movement of the pressure pad and pistonin one direction.

7. In a press for drawing sheet metal and the like, a chamber formed inthe press below the bed plate thereof, a work holder above the bedplate, a piston-below the bed plate and operable in the said chamber,and fluid within the chamber against the pressure of which the piston ismovable for yieldingly resisting the movement of said work holder in onedirection.

8. In a press for drawing sheet metal and the like, a chamber formed inthe press below the bed plate thereof, a work holder above the bedplate, a piston below the bed plate and operable in the said chamber,and means for supplying fluid to the chamber to yieldingly resists themovement of the piston and work holder in one direction.

9. In a press for drawing sheet metal and the like, a cushioning devicefor yieldingly resisting the movement ofa movable part of the press inone direction, said cushioning device embodying a chamber formed withinand as an integral part of the press, and a piston reciprocable in thechamber, both the said piston and chamber being disposed beneath the bedplate ofthe press.

10. In a press for drawing sheet metal andthe like, a pressure pad, acushioning device for yieldingly resisting the movement of the pad inone direction, said cushioning device embodying a chamber formed withinand as an integral part of the press, and a piston reciprocable in thechamber, said pressure pad, chamber and piston being all disposed belowthe bed plate of'the press.

11. In a press for drawing sheet metal and the like, a pressure pad, acushioning device for yieldingly resisting the movement of the pad inone direction, said-cushioning device embodying a chamber formed withinand as an integral part of the press, a piston re- 'ciprocab1e in thechamber, said pressure pad,

bed plate of the press, and means for automatically and temporarilylocking the said movable part of the press against return movement.

13.,In a press for drawing sheet metal and the like, a cushioning devicefor yieldingly resisting the movement of a movable part of the press inone direction, said cushioning device embodying a chamber formed Withinand as an integral part ofthe press,

a piston reciprocable in the chamber, bothv the said piston and chamberbeing disposed beneath the bed plate of the press, and hydraulic meansfor automatically and temporarily locking the said movable part of thepress againstreturn movement.

14. In a press for drawing sheet metal and the like, a cushioning devicefor yieldingly resisting the movement of a movablepart of the'press inone direction, said cushioning device embodying. a chamber formed withinand as an integral part of the press, a piston reciprocable in thechamber, both the said piston and chamber being disposed beneath the bedplate of the press, and hydraulic means for automatically andtemporarily locking the said movable part of the press against returnmovement, the liquid of the said hydraulic means flowing into and out ofsaid chamber.

15. In a press for drawing sheet metal and the like, a work holdingmember, a fluid pressure cushioning device for yieldingly resisting themovement of said member in one direction, said cushioning deviceconstituting a part and parcel of the press, and hydraulic viceembodying a cylinder and piston, said cylinder having communication withsaid chamber, said chamber having a supply of liquid adapted to flowinto and out'of said cylinder, means for restraining the liquid fromflowing from said cylinder into the chamber to constitute a lockingdevice, means for supplying another and difi'erent fluid to said chamberabove said liquid to yieldingly resist the movement of the first saidpiston in one direction, and means for automatically controlling theflow of liquid out of the said cylinder.

17. In a press for drawing sheet metal and the like, a fluid pressurecushion embodying a chamber and piston, said chamber being formed in thepress as a part and parcel thereof and being disposed below the bedplate of the press, an hydraulic locking device embodying a cylinder andpiston, said cylinder having communication with said chamber, saidchamber having a sup ly of liquid adapted to flow into and out of saidcylinder, means for restraining the liquid from flowing from saidcylinder into the chamber to constitute a locking device, means forsupplying another and diflerent fluid to said chamber above said liquidto yieldingly resist the movement of the first said piston in onedirection, and means for automatically controlling the flow of liquidout of the said cylinder, the said cylinder being supported by andbeneath the said chamber.

18. In a-press for drawing sheet metal and the like, a cushionin deviceformed integral therewith and embodying a fluid containing chamberdisposed below the bed plate of the press, a piston reciprocable in thechamber, a pressure pad to the movement of which said piston isresponsive, whereby said pad will be yieldingly resisted in its movementin one direction, and means for supplying fluid to the said chamber.

19. In a press for drawing sheet metal and the like, a cushioning deviceembodying a fluid containing chamber dis osed below; the bed of thepress and forme integral with the press, a piston reciprocable in thechamber and movable through the upper wall thereof, and a pressure padsupported by the pressure pad will be yieldingly resisted in itsmovement in one "direction.

20. In a press for drawing sheet metal and.

the like, a cushioning device embodying a fluid containing chamberdisposed below the bed of the press and formed integral with the press,a piston reciprocable in the chamber and movable through the upper wallthereof, a pressure pad supported by said piston and'to the movement ofwhich pad the piston is responsive to operate against the fluid pressurein said chamber, whereby the pressure pad will be yieldingly resisted inits movement in one direction, and an hydraulic locking device fortemporarily. restraining the pressure pad against return movement, aportion of the liquid of the said locking device flowing out of and intothe said chamber during the operation of the press.

21. A press for drawing sheet metal embodying a bed, the said bedembodying a reservoir chamber, said reservoir constituting anintegralpart of the bed itself, a fluid pressure blank holding means for saidpress, said blank holding means and the operating means for the pressbeing above the bottom line of the bed.

22. In a press for drawing sheet metal and the like, a work holdingmember, a fluid pressure cushioning device for yieldingly resisting themovement of said member in one direction, said cushioning deviceconstituting a part and'parcel of the press, and fluid pressure meansco-operating with said cushioning device for temporarily locking saidwork holding member against .return'movement.

23. In a press for drawing sheet metal and the like, a work holdingmember, a fluid pressure cushioning device for yieldingly resisting themovement of said member in one direction, said cushioning deviceconstituting a part and parcel of the press, and fluid pressure meansfor temporarily locking said work holding member, against returnmovement.

24. In a press for drawing sheet metal and the like, a cushioning devicefor yieldingly resisting the movement of'a movable part of the press inone direction, said cushioning device embodying a chamber formed withinand as an integral part of the press, and a piston reciprocable in thechamber.

25. In a press for drawing sheet metal and the like, a cushioning devicefor yieldingly resisting the movement of a movable part of the press inone direction, a chamber formed within and as an integral part of thepress, and a plurality of pistons reciprocable in the chamber. g

26. In a press for drawing sheet metal and the like, a cushioning devicefor yieldingly resisting the movement of a movable part of the press inone direction, chambers formed Within and as an integral part of thepress, and pistons individual to and reciprocable in the chambers.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, onthis 28th day of March, A. D. 1929.

' FREDRICH J. RODE.

